The blanket tops on these pads are hand woven from NZ wool, not by me, but by a community overseas who do it the old-fashioned way ... on a loom, not a machine. I only order limited quantities at any one time and won't always order the same designs so if you see one you like, grab it as there is no guarantee I will have it again.
The wool felt is the very same wool felt I use on all my saddle pads - it's not cheap, stays soft and molds to the horse super well.
Spine length is approx 28 inches. Total drop is approx 35 inches at the wither and 32 near rigging. These are approximate and are not exact as they are handwoven and account for slight =/- margins in weaving tightness and finishing the pattern equally on both sides and at both ends.
The contoured spine is my own cut - the same as my other contoured spine pads - and the wear leather is smaller on these ones. It still features a leather patch which means you can have your brand, initials, name, event/logos engraved onto them. Note that they will come with the MBH logo if no engraving is required.
The bottom edge of the felt is not 'fixed' under the blanket, so that the two pieces (blanket and felt) have a little freedom for shaping around the barrel, and avoids a sew line on the blanket top. The front of the wither section of the blanket has no seam in either the blanket or the felt - which therefore reduces any bulk.
The big kahuna with this range is that I have managed to create a close contact version as well. I've only ever seen blanket covered felt pads advertised previously in 18-21mm thicknesses ... but these you can order in a 11-12mm - so the blanket plus 6.4mm of felt underneath.
Which means ... I don't have to be the only one at the party anymore who doesn't have a blanket pad because my saddle and horse can't deal with a thick one!! And that's pretty cool!!!
